Improvement in strap-fastenings for trunks



WQGRINSTED. Strap-Fastnings for Trunks, 811:.-

No, 142,565, Q Patented S.eptember9.1873.

WITNESSES. INVENTOR.

m is AM Woman/mama a7. Ann/21mm P110055) UNITED STATES PAT - WILLIAMGRINSTED, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

IMPROVEMENT IN STRAP-FASTENINGS FOR TRUNKS, &c.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 142,565, datedSeptember 9, 1873; application filed February 4, 1873.

erence being had to the accompanying drawings and to the letters ofreference marked thereon which form a part of this specification.

My invention consists in a double-acting lever for fastening trunks,boxes, bales, or packages of any description.

Of the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 represents a side and endelevation of a trunk with the fastening in st'tu. Fig. 2 is a View ofthe doubleacting lever with its straps attached.

Corresponding letters indicate corresponding features of the invention.

In Fig. 1, A A represent a flat-topped trunk with the lid closed, uponwhich rests the lever B B, to which are attached,at 0 O, the straps D I)having their ends free. These straps pass round the trunk, as shown bythe dotted lines, meeting the lever at E E, at which points it hasbuckles attached to it, through which the ends of the straps are passedand secured. It will readily be seen that, when one end of the strap istightened, great purchase or leverage will be afforded at the other end,and thus great compression may be brought .to bear upon the lid of thetrunk, such power being limited only by the endurance of the straps. Thebar or lever maybe pivoted, if necessary, upon the top of the trunk, andthe straps may be either free or secured in their course round the trunkby cleats; or they may pass in suitable grooves or recesses under thewooden or metal bands F F, which reenforce the trunk.

I do not limit myself to this simple method of construction, as the barmay be made of any suitable material, such, as wood, metal, &c., or ofany convenient shape, such, for instance, as would adapt itself to thecurves of a trunk with an arched lid; while the straps could be madewholly of leather, rubber, or any other yielding or elastic material, orpartly of these materials and partly of more rigid substances, such asmetal, wood, &c.

The number of straps may also be increased at pleasure, having theirpoints of attachment at different places along the lever. A series ofbars with their accompanying straps may be used, in combination orseparately, where greater protection is required; and the device may bestrapped transversely across the ends of the trunk, or in anypositionwhich may be deemed advisable.

While, for the purpose of more clear demonstration, I have selected anordinary trunk to illustrate my dcviee, I do not limit myself to thissimple application of it, as it can be used with advantage to secure andfasten any bale, box, package, or parcel whatsoever.

I claim as new and desire to secure by Let-- ters Patent- The lever B,in combination with the straps D D, attached at O O, and the bucklesattached at E E, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto set my hand.

\VM. GRINSTED, M. D.

Witnesses:

JOHN MAYHEW, WM. MARTIN.

i FFIOE.

